What do you think of this black opal and a question about opalauctions.com

2Neesers · Jan 23, 2019

After admiring everyone’s opals in the opal thread I have been looking at opalauctions.com and came across an opal that I can’t stop thinking about and am considering purchasing. I don’t know what makes an opal great and since this one is on the expensive side for me I am hoping to get opinions on it first. I like that the background of the stone is not very dark and all of the colors the opal displays in the video.
Also, I have never purchased from opalauctions.com and am wondering if anyone has ever used the “Make an Offer” option. I would want to do that in this case and am wondering how low of an offer is typically acceptable on this site?
https://www.opalauctions.com/auctions/175ct-black-opal-from-lightning-ridge-tt4-732883

leslie1956 · Jan 23, 2019

2Neezers said:
After admiring everyone’s opals in the opal thread I have been looking at opalauctions.com and came across an opal that I can’t stop thinking about and am considering purchasing. I don’t know what makes an opal great and since this one is on the expensive side for me I am hoping to get opinions on it first. I like that the background of the stone is not very dark and all of the colors the opal displays in the video.
Also, I have never purchased from opalauctions.com and am wondering if anyone has ever used the “Make an Offer” option. I would want to do that in this case and am wondering how low of an offer is typically acceptable on this site?
https://www.opalauctions.com/auctions/175ct-black-opal-from-lightning-ridge-tt4-732883

Stunning opal, the colors are amazing! I've never used the "make an offer" option, so I can't offer knowledgeable advice, but good luck in scoring this amazing gem

Bron357 · Jan 23, 2019

Looks lovely, only small though.
As far as offers go, on eBay I always offer 10% less, I think anything more is a bit insulting to the seller. So I’d offer $900. Let us know how you go - chose registered shipping though, the $4 option will just be an envelope !

lovedogs · Jan 23, 2019

I think it's lovely! I might offer 875 or 900 and see what the vendor says.

lovedogs · Jan 23, 2019

@2Neezers my rule of offers is that I offer about 5% (or like $25-50) less than I am hoping to eventually pay. That gives room for some negotiating and offers back from the seller without being offensive or having your first offer be your "best" or "last". So if you're ok paying 900 then I'd offer like 875, etc.

2Neesers · Jan 23, 2019

Thanks for the advice @leslie1956 @Bron357 and @lovedogs !
Do you think an opal like this one is hard to come by? I told myself I was on a buying ban at least for a couple of months in to the new year, but I have already broke that rule a couple of times! I just don't want to pass this one up if it's special. Does the price seem reasonable for the size? It is a little on the small side, but I plan to halo it to make the finished piece appear larger.

Bron357 · Jan 23, 2019

The thing with opals is that if a particular one “speaks to you” don’t pass it up as you will send months and months unsuccessfully trying to find another similar. All opals very individual. That’s why pairs are so tricky, they really have to be from the same piece of rough and even then they are never a perfect “match”.
The body tone N4 is second best, it has a strong red colour play (most desirable) and the only negative is the small part of potch / flatness near the centre. That said, a perfect opal even small would be a few thousand more. Ask If the vendor accepts returns if you aren’t delighted when you see it in person.

MakingTheGrade · Jan 23, 2019

I bought my black opal from them and I love it!
I made an offer too and he was really nice about saying he couldn't sell that low and giving me a counter offer. Doesn't hurt to ask.

Link to mine if you're curious:
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/lightning-ridge-black-opal.245550/

2Neesers · Jan 23, 2019

Well that was too easy

. I put in my first offer which was a slightly less than 10% and got an automated notice saying my offer was too low, but my offer $900 was accepted!
Thanks for encouraging me to go for the opal that speaks to me @Bron357 . He also said I could return it for a full refund if I don't like it, so that is good to know.
@MakingTheGrade I love your opal and saw it was from Red Eye Opal from the picture you posted in the vendor comparison photo thread. The site was a little overwhelming with so many opals, but I was hoping the vendor you used would have another beautiful opal and I found this one

. I can't wait to see what you do with yours!

prs · Jan 23, 2019

2Neezers said:

That is one gorgeous opal.

MakingTheGrade · Jan 23, 2019

Yay! So glad you got it! Yeah I had offered about 15% off but it was a smaller and less expensive stone to begin with.
Still not sure how to set mine. You’ll probably get yours set first at the rate I’m going heh

Bron357 · Jan 23, 2019

Excellent news, I’m pretty good at picking prices

I’m sure you’ll love it, especially in sunlight - opals are truly a magical gem. The whole process of how nature makes them is fascinating and I often wonder what the first person who found one thought. Unlike most other gems, in the “raw” they look just as amazing.
While a diamond halo will look fantastic, do give some thought to a coloured halo. I think an emerald or sapphire halo would look unique.

Bluegemz · Jan 23, 2019

Really a beautiful stone with such s sunset mood and lovely colors! Congratulations!

2Neesers · Jan 23, 2019

I’m glad to hear so many people like this opal! It sounds like it was worth it to break my bling ban

.
@Bron357 I will definitely look in to a CS halo. It sounds gorgeous! I’m also curious now about the history of opals and how they are formed and am going to read up on it

.

Anne111 · Jan 24, 2019

Red is particularly valuable in black opal, right?

Garnetgirl · Jan 24, 2019

I've just started looking at opals - Pricescope's fault.

There are some beauties around, and yours is one of them!

GliderPoss · Jan 24, 2019

Gorgeous opal!

I'm with Bron - opals are like ART, it's all a matter of personal taste.

Acinom · Jan 25, 2019

What a beauty!!!! Amazing find. Black opals are so special and yours is stunning

Gummybear · Jan 25, 2019

Annnd now I want an opal. So lovely.

2Neesers · Jan 25, 2019

Thank you so much everyone for your input! I’m so glad to see such a positive response. I was a little worried after purchasing the opal so quickly that I hadn’t seen enough opals to make a decision, so I spent some time looking at more opals and I still love this one the most

. I’ll be sure to report back once it arrives and share pictures.

Lisa Loves Shiny · Jan 26, 2019

So glad you got it! The colors in the opal remind me of molten lava. It is gorgeous.

elle_71125 · Jan 26, 2019

LisaRN said:
So glad you got it! The colors in the opal remind me of molten lava. It is gorgeous.

I thought the exact same thing.

@2Neezers , I don’t know a lot about opals but I haven’t seen any with that striking molten lava coloring. It’s going to look amazing in person.

Here’s a little colored halo inspiration...

Catmom · Jan 26, 2019

What a gorgeous opal! I can't wait to see your pics of it.

Bluegemz · Jan 26, 2019

elle_71125 said:
I thought the exact same thing.

@2Neezers , I don’t know a lot about opals but I haven’t seen any with that striking molten lava coloring. It’s going to look amazing in person.
Here’s a little colored halo inspiration...

Love these opals with colored melee. So beautiful

lovedogs · Jan 26, 2019

elle_71125 said:
I thought the exact same thing.

@2Neezers , I don’t know a lot about opals but I haven’t seen any with that striking molten lava coloring. It’s going to look amazing in person.
Here’s a little colored halo inspiration...

Omfg those colored halos are insane

2Neesers · Jan 26, 2019

elle_71125 said:
I thought the exact same thing.

@2Neezers , I don’t know a lot about opals but I haven’t seen any with that striking molten lava coloring. It’s going to look amazing in person.
Here’s a little colored halo inspiration...

Wow! These are all so gorgeous

. You have always have such amazing inspiration photos! Thank you for sharing these

. I love them all

. The Paraiba halo is to die for!

elle_71125 · Jan 26, 2019

2Neezers said:
Wow! These are all so gorgeous . You have always have such amazing inspiration photos! Thank you for sharing these . I love them all . The Paraiba halo is to die for!

These are all from Omiprive. I have a major infatuation going on with their color combos.

2Neesers · Feb 7, 2019

The opal arrived today! It’s pretty, but I was expecting a darker opal and am surprised how close to flesh tone it is. I’m an opal newbie, so maybe it’s supposed to be? It seems more like what I would image a semi black opal to look like.
I’ve attached a bunch of photos and would love your honest opinions. I’m experiencing a power outage right now due to an ice storm, so all of the photos were taken in natural overcast lighting with my back to a window.